To "love people" or "love humanity" in the abstract is easy, whereas to feel compassion toward actual individuals is difficult.

Altruism is the most effective means of self-realization and self-perfection. Doing good for others is the best way to develop one's own character and find greater happiness for oneself.

In order to relieve another person of suffering one must identify with that person and share their suffering. This very identification is the means of practicing compassion, and the act of relieving others of suffering and giving them happiness is the path of self-perfection.

Humanity's collective mission in the cosmos lies in the practice of compassion.

As we work for the greater good, we build happiness for ourselves and others. The more we do for other people, the more the path of our own happiness will open up. In realizing this, we discover a sense of gratitude in being able to help them.

Encouragement means to plant the seed of courage in the lives of others. It is an act of regeneration.

Courage and compassion are two sides of the same coin. Compassion without courage is not genuine. You may have a compassionate thought or impulse, but if you don't do or say anything, it's not real compassion.

To be unconcerned is a reflection of one's lack of compassion. It is often enough for a person in anguish simply to know that there is someone thinking of them, sharing in their pain and plight, even though that person may be unable to actually help.

We are often highly sensitive to our own sufferings but oblivious to the pain of others. Buddhism teaches the importance of empathy, feeling the suffering of others as your own. A century based on respect for life will not be realized as long as this spirit is disregarded.

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